Luis Suarez recently expressed his discontent with Uruguay’s manager Marcelo Bielsa, highlighting the negative environment within the team during the Copa America 2024, where they secured a third-place finish. Suarez, who has retired from international football, criticized Bielsa for his conduct, claiming that the players were not enjoying their time with the national team during the tournament.
Suarez urged fans not to blame the players for their underperformance, attributing it to Bielsa’s divisive training methods. “I ask the fans not to take it out on the players when things go wrong. Bielsa has divided the whole group because of the way he trains,” he stated.
According to Suarez, some teammates expressed that they only participated in the Copa America and were reluctant to continue further. As Uruguay’s leading goalscorer, Suarez revealed that Bielsa’s approach towards experienced players was problematic. He chose to remain silent during the tournament to maintain harmony within the team. “We all know that he doesn’t like to deal with leaders or players with experience. I had to keep quiet out of respect for the national team and for the sake of coexistence. I didn’t want to be part of the problem,” Suarez explained.
He also mentioned an incident involving midfielder Agustin Canobbio, who was mistreated by being made to train as a ball boy and spare man. “A player who is one of the 26 selected for the Copa America can’t be made to participate as if he were a ‘sparring’ partner. It’s annoying. I understand Agustin. I’ll support him; he’s been holding back a lot,” Suarez added.
The negative atmosphere extended to the team’s facilities, where the staff were prohibited from greeting or eating with the players. Suarez mentioned that many players held a meeting to request Bielsa to at least say good morning, but the coach refused. “The staff are not allowed to come in and greet us or eat with us. Many of the players held a meeting to ask the coach to at least say good morning; he didn’t even say hello. It hurts me to see what the national team is going through,” he concluded.
